Excavator.



PATENTBD APR. 1'7, 1906.

A. M. ANDERSON.

EXGAVATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 11, 1905.

6 SHBETS SEEET lv No. 818,215. EATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

A. M. ANDERSON.

EXGAVATUR.

APPLICATKOH FILED MAYH, 1905 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

A. M. ANDERSQN.

EXUAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1905.

0 $HEETS-SHIJBT 3 m i u I a 1 a RE mw an m. 3

%W Q1 Ma WITNESSES.

By 711m ATTORNEYS No. 818,215. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

A. M. .MZ DERSON.

EXCAVATOR. APPLIOATION PILED I:AY11,1905.

6 SHEETSSHEET 4.

PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

A. M. ANDERSON.

EXGAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAYII, 1905.

6 SHBETSSHEET 6.

I WITNESSES" ...,jofnrrnn sra rngr a rnr r enrich.

ahens'r M. ,AnnEasoN, or MGORHEAD, MlNNESOTA.

EXCAVATQH- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, .AUcUsr M. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Moorhead, in the county of Clay and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and Improved Excavator, =of whichthe following isa full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to excavators such as used in railroad construction-work, repairing road-beds, and in the ditches and irrigating canals. ful for clearing a roadway of similar obstruction.

The inventionbonsi'sts-in and combinationfl of parts more fully hereinafter and in the claims.

Reference is p ingdrawings, formin apartfof this specificationiin whichsinn ar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures. V

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a plan. Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially upon the line 33. of Fig.

Itis also useice, snow, or

2. Fig. 4 isla plan of thelower portion 'of the tion and broken away,

1 1 represents the frame of'the machine.

mechanism, certain parts being shown'in seeas will ap ear. Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken su stantially upon the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. This view is upon an enlarged scale, as will appear. Fig. 6 1s a horizontal section'through a'c'utter or excavatin '-wheel and'the contiguous parts, the same ei'ng represented as broken away and upon an enlar ed scale; and Fig. 7 is a transverse sectiont ough a portion of the wheel shown in Fig, 6.

Referring more particularly to the pairlts, 1s frame comprises a pair of'parallel beams 2, disposed lon itudinally of the machine, as indicated. ear the forward portion of these beams bearings 3. are provided, in which a transverse shaft l is mounted: Upon the extremities of this shaft 4, which project beyond. the beams 2, as shown, forwardlyprojecting arms 5 are attached. The pro- ]6C l3l11g extremities of the shaft 4 are preferably braced by suitablediagonals or struts6. The arms'5, referred to above, consist, preferably, of fiat bars which project in a parallel relation and forwardly with implement in the manner shown. Their for ward extremities are preferably sharpened, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to present cutting L Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 11, 1905. Serial No. 259,862.

ing-wheel 8, the construction of construction of I the construction to be described definitely set forth to be had the accompany-- 18 are arranged, as shown.

respect to the'of is supported Patented April 17,1906.

edges 7, the purpose of which will appear more fully hereinafter. he arms 5 are substantially horizontal, as shown, and they support between them a cutter or excavat which will be described more fully hereinafter.- Behind this excavating-wheel 8 a plow 9 is arranged, the same beingattachcd to the arms 5 by removable keys 10. This plow 9 is mounted at the forward extremity of a plow-frame,

which frame comprises-beams 11, which are disposed in an 'inchned relation, as indicated in Fig. 1, being pivotally attached at their extremities to brackets 12, carried on the under-sides of the main beams 2 of the frame 1. The forward portions of'these beams 11 are supported upon hangers 13, which also are disposed in an inclined relation and at tached .pivotally at 14 to the rear portion of the plow. Their upper extremities attach pivotally to brackets 15, which are carried by thedforward extremities of the beams 2 aforesal The machine is supported upon driving- Wheels 16, disposed toward the rear of the implement, as indicated in Fig. 1, and for-' ward of these wheels steering-wheels 17 and are carried upon a fixed axle 19, which is attached to the under side of the frame 1, as indicated, The wheels 17, which are intermediate in size and also in position, u 6n an axle 20, which is mounted upon a p1vot-pin'21 at its central point, as indicated in Fig. 4'; The forward wheels 18 arecarried "upon an axle 22, which is mounted upon a wot-pin 23, as shown, and this axle is carried at the under sides of the forward portion of the plow-beams 11. In order to enable the center of the axle to be supported, the beams are connected at this part by diagonal crossbraces or struts 24;

Near the rear portion of the machinesboiler 25, preferably oflocomotive type,.is supported upon the frame, and this boiler asforward portion whereo is supported upon standards 27, as shown in Fig. 1.

-At the rear of the plow 9 a conveyer or ele- The wheels 16 are carried L60 sists in supporting a superstructure 26, the

vator 28'is arranged, the same comprising-an 1o 5 inclined body 29, the upper extremity whereadjustably upon han ers 30, the upper extremities of the 'said hangers beingsupported in the, superstructure 26.

Upon the body 29 of the elevator a plurality 1 1o of rollers 31 are arranged, and at the extremities of the body 29 guide-rollers 32 are provided, around which a continuous conveyer or belt 33 passes. This conveyer or belt 33 has attached thereto a plurality of buckets 34, which are adapted to receive excavated material from the wheel Sand elevate the same, as will be readily understood. In this connection the purpose of the rollers 31 will appear as they support the full buckets as they are elevated, .operatingupon theunder side of. the belt, so as to prevent the sagging between the end rollers. This elevator, as

indicated most clearly in Fig. 2, is preferably formed in two opposite para'llelsections 28 and 28*; but these sections are identical in construction. The are separatedby a space which facilitates th to the excavating-wheel 8 in a manner which will be described more fully hereinafter.

To the rear of the conveyer 28 and near its upper extremity I provide lateral conveyers 35 for ejecting the excavated material. Referring especiall to Fig. 5, these conveyers 35 comprise bo ies 36, which are supported pivotally at 37 at their inner extremities upon a suitable framing 38. Near their outer extremities the bodies 36 are su ported upon hanger'39, which are attache pivotally at their upper extremities to the superstructure 36. Near their lower extremities these hangers 39 are provided with a plurality of openings 40, which enable the lateral conveyers to be sup orted in various adjusted positions, as wili be readily understood. Like the conveyer 28, the conveyers 35 comprise endless belts, (indicated by the numerals 41,) the same assing around guide-rollers 42 at the ends ofthe conveyers and carrying a plurality ,of buckets 43. The inner portions of the belts 41 are preferably supported upon rollers 44, carried by the bodies 36 of the conve ers, as indicated, the function of these r0 lers being substantiall the same as that of the rollers 31 describec in connection with the conveyer 28. It should be undersood that the conveyers 35 are intended to receive the excavated material from the conveyer 28 and advance the same to be dumped into carts or at the'sides of the out which is being formed. In this aspect the lateral conveyers may be considered as auxiliaries, while the conveyer 28 may be considered the main conveyer.

Arrangement is made for raising the excavatin -wheel 8 when the wheel is not being operate For this purpose upon the superstructure 26 a shaft 45 is provided which is horizontal in position and disposed transversely of the frame, as indicated most clearl in Fig. 2. Near its extremities this sha t carries loose drums 46, controlled by clutches V 47. Upon the drums 46 cables 48 wind, and these cables pass forwardly, as shown, pass ing over guide-pulleys 49, and they have their 0 transmission of power extremities attached to the forward portions of the arms 5, as indicated in Fig. 1. It should be understood that the shaft 45 may be rotated when desired, and thus affords means-for raising and lowering the arms 5 and the excavat1ng-wheel8 when desired. The means'for driving this shaft 45 will be described. more fully hereinafter. connection it should be undersood that before raising the arms 5, as suggested, the ke s 10-will be removed, so as to disconnect t e arms from the plow.

The means for driving the machinery will now be described.

Referring especially to Figs, 3, 4, and 5, an engine 50 of any suitable construction is rovided near the forward portion of the boiler, as shown. This engine is preferably of the type illustrated, comprising two cylinders 51 and cranks 52, which are set at right angles upon a horizontal shaft 53. The shaft 53 is provided with a ear-wheel54, which meshes with a gear-whee 55, which is rigidly carried upon the aforesaid shaft 4'. Upon the shaft 4 there is rigidly mounted a chain-wheel 56, over which asses a chain.57, and this chain 57 In this passes orwardly and passes around the central portion of the-excavating-wheel 8, o erating to rotatethis wheel in a forward i- .rection, as will be readily understood. The

construction of the wheel 8,which enables such an arrangement, will be described resently. The conveyer 28 driven from its lower extremity, as indicated in Fig. 3, at which point a sprocket-wheel 58 is provided, over which a 0 rain 59 passes. This chain 59 passes rear:

wardly, as shown, and is driven from an. auxiliary shaft 60, disposed below the aforesaid shaft 4, being driven from said shaft by earwheels 61, as indicated in Fig.- 3. A (we the engine-shaft 53 an auxiliary shaft 62 is provided, which affords means for driving the auxiliary conveyers 35. Referring especially to Fig. 5 in connection with Fig. 3, the inner extremities of these conveyers 35 are rovided with bevel-gears 63, which are rigidly mounted upon the rollers 42 aforesaid. These bevel -gears 63 mesh with'a double bevel gear-wheel 64 which is disposed between them, as indicated, and the central portion of this bevel-gear 64 constitutes a sprocketwheel receiving a chain 65. This chain 65 is driven from a sprocket-wheel 66, carried by the aforesaid shaft 62. The gear-wheel 54, it should be understood, is not carried rigidly by the shaft 53, but may be so by operating the clutch 67, as indicated in Fig. 4. a Arrangement is ,made for enabling the machine to develop its own traction in moving from place to place. For this purpose the enire-shaft 53 18 provided with bevel-gears 68, from which alongitudi'nal shaft 69 leads rearwardly. A clutch 70 enables the gears 68 to be thrown in .or out of operation, as will be readily understood. Through bevel-gears slam- I 71 the shaft 69 operates a counter-shaft 72,

, screw 91.

. wardly to the excavating-wheel.

which in turn, throughthe gears 73, as shown in Fig. 4-, operates a pinion-shaft 7-4, thepinion whereof meshes with, the main gear-wheels 75, formed within the bodies of thedrivingwheels 16. As indicated most clearly in Fig. 3, the engine 50, together'with the contiguous clutches and other mechanism, is inclosed in a suitable casing 76. Likewisethe chains 5-7 and 59. are inclosed, respectively, in casings 77 and 78. Arrangement is made for driving the aforesaid shaft 45 by the engine. shaft. For this purpose the engine-shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel 79, as indicated in Fig. 4, which operates'to drive a chain 80, (shown most clearly in Fig. 3,) the said chain passing around guideulleys 81, arranged as shown, which enable t e chain to be led upwardly to a sprocket-wheel 82, carried by the shaft 45, as will be. readily understood. In connection with the sprocketwheel 82 a clutch 83 is arranged, which enables the sprocket-wheel to be connected or disconnected with the shaft 45, as will be readily understood.

In. order to enable the machine to be guided or steered as it advances, I provide a steering- Wheel 85, as shown in Fig. 3, which is mount ed upon a shaft 86 at the side of the boiler near the rear and in a convenient position to be reached from the firemens platform 87.- As shown in Fig. 1, this shaft 86 extends forwardly and makes a universal connection 88 with a second shaft 89. This shaft 89'makes a connection through bevel-'gears' 90 with a when. thehard-wheel 85 is turned and 0perates to move the screw91 bodily, as indicated in. Fig.4, transversely of the machine. To the extremities of the screw 91. .a steering-. cable 92 is attached by swivel connections 93, and this steering-cable leads forwardly at each side of the machine and attaches to the axles 20 and'22, the forward extremityof the cable being passed arourd a guide-sheave 93 near the rear of the plow. From this arrangement, evidently, when 'the' screw 91 moves in either direction it will take up the slack of the steering-cable at one side of the machineand pay it out at the other, in this way operating to change the direction of the machine as it advances.

Recurring again to the, excavating-wheel 8 andv the manner of guiding the same, it should now appear that the arrangement of the main conveyor 28 in sections is useful in enabling the operating-chain 57 to pass forlhe construction of the excavating-wheel 8 will now be described more in detail. Referring especially to F 6 and 7, the wheel is sup orted upon a shaft 94, disposed transverse y between the arms 5 am supported therein, as

indicated. ,At the openings through which this shaft 94 passes the arms 5 are preferably- The nut of this screw 91 is rotated.

' shown, theouter faces of the heads being sub recessed or offset inwardly, as indicated, so as to present bosses 95 on their innerfaccs. Over the shaft 94 an elongated sleeve 96 is rigidly mounted, the extremities whereofibutagainst and are securely held by" the osses 95-. This sleeve96 is securely clamped in this manner by means of a nut 97, mount-n ed upon the threaded extremity of the shaft 5 spectively, by hubs 101, rotatablymounted upon thesleeves 96, as will be readily understood. These hubs 101- are preferably pro vided with bushings- 102 at theirbores,- ast shown, .The rims-98 and 99 do not extendcontinuously from end to. end of the wheel, but are arranged in sections a and b, as

shown Between the adjacentextremities" of the sections wand?) a sprocket-wheel 103-" is arranged, the same. being cent'eredin post tion by r'adiall-y-projectin arms 104, theex tremities whereof are fixe to the rims The" aforesaid chain 57passes around this sprocketwheel-103 and affords meansfortransmitting .a rotary movementto the wheel-rims, aswil be.readilyunderstood. 1 The central-portion of the. sprocket-wheel 103' ispreferably pro- I vided with an enlarged bore 105, through 1 which thesleeve 96 passes;loosely, as shown:

The endsof the wheels'are preferably closed byfixed disks .or heads 106, which are pro-- vided with centrally+disposed openings .107, which receive the ends of the sleeve 96,as in dicatedl: These heads are set'int'o 1'ims,as;

stantiallyflush'with- .the edge [of the "outer L rim,v as indicated; "At-suitable points the heads 106 are providedlwith manholes 'closed' by covers 1 08, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and these covers are ad aptedrtoube opened in order to give access to the interior of thewheel for-the purpose of replacing or'repau'ing. the kmves forwardly, shown: T1ese bodies are formed with integral shanks" 111, which pass or teeth 109; The form o'f these teeth 109 is very clearly shown in Figs 6. They have strut-like bodies 1 10, which reject and curve I 1 5 as shown, the bodies of the teeth being-preferably provided withshoulders 11.3, adapted to set against .the outer rim, as indicated."-

The shanks 111" terminate in threaded stems 11 1,: which passthrough the inner rim and receive nuts 115 for the purpose of securing the 'teeth,'as will be readilyujndcrstood; The

outermost teeth 109, as indicated) in Fig. 6,

preferably have their bodies enlarged laterally, so that their outer edges aresubstantially flush with the ends of thewheel.

Where the machine is making light cuts, it

veyer in such a way as to exclude the exca- -pose the aforesaid hangers 13 are'provlded may be advanced by its own traction; but under ordinary circumstances it may be advanced by cables. For this purpose upon the superstructure .26 at a suitable point there is mounted a feed-drum 116, as indicated most clearly in Fi 2, the shaft of said drum being provided with a gear-wheel 117, which meshes with a gear-wheel 118, carried by the aforesaid shaft 45. From the drum 116 cables 119 lead forwardly to an anchor planted in the ground or to a tree which is found in a convenient position. It will be remembered that the engine 50 affords means for driving the shaft 45, and hence it also affords means for advancing the implement through the medium of the cable 119.

Arrangement is made for supporting the plow 9 in an elevated position. For this urwith auxiliary 0 )enings 120, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the olts 121, which attach the upper extremities of the hangers to the brackets 15, are made removable. This arrangement is adopted in order to facilitate the movement of the machine from place to place, operating, as it does, to place the plow at av safe distance above the ground-line.

Referring again to the casing 76, which envelops the principal portion of the machinery, and especially to Fig. 5, it should be stated that the casing is formed into a shield 122, which is disposed above the double bevel gearwheel 64 at the rear of the main con- This preferably prean inverted V vated material from the gear-wheels. shield, as indicated in Fig. 5, sents substantially the form 0 in section. 1 I

The mode of operation of the implement will now be described. This operation will be most clearly understood from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 3. The power of the engine is transmitted through intermediate mechanism to the chain 57, which chain op erates to rotate the excavating-wheel 8 in a forward direction. As this wheel rotates, its teeth 109 di into the earth in advance of the machine and reduce it tea more or less finer divided condition. The excavated material passes back over the'plow 9 and is delivered to the lower extremity of the main conve er 28. Thence it passes upwardly and is do ivered upon the inner extremities of the auxiliary conveyers 35, from which conveyers the material is movedoutwardly and delivered at the side of the machine either u on the ground or into a wagon for hauling t e material away. Under normal conditions, as suggested above, the machine, will be advanced y rotating the feed-drum 116, which drum is driven through the medium of the chain 80 from the engine-shaft. The arrangement of the cable 119'will be suited to the peculiar conditions, enabling the machine to be advanced at a greater or less speed, as may be 1 required. Where the cut tobe taken is a shallow cut, enablin Vance at a hi h rate 0 speed, the feed-cables 119 may be ispensed'with and the machine may be advanced directly by its own traction. When this method is adopted, connection will be made, through the medium of the clutch and the shaft 69, with the driv ing-wheels 16. When it is desired to move the machine to a new location where excavating-work is to be done, the shaft 45,will be operated from the engine, so as to rotate the drums 46. These drums, it will be remembered, carry the hoisting-cables 48, which lead down to the arms 5, and in this waythe arms and the excavating-wheel 8jmay be raised to any height desired. Before raising the wheel, however, the arms 5 should be disconnected from the plow by removing the keys 10. In order to afford means for raising the forward part of the frame of the machine in movin it to a new point of operation, as suggests the wheels 17 and 18 will be removed and replaced in an opposite relation, the wheels 17 taking the places of the wheels 18. When this has been done the wheels 18 will of course be held above the ground-line and the entire weight of the machine will be taken upon the wheels 16 and 17. In order to effect this change of the Wheels, an ordinary jack 'orjack-screw would be employed at the front of the frame. When the excavating-wheel 8 is making an unusually dee cut, the arms 5 will assist in cuttin their way through the earth by reason 0 their sharpened forward edges, which have been referred to above.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In an excavator 1n combination, a wheel having teeth, means for rotating said wheel upon a substantially horizontal axis, said eel being formed in separated sections, a

driving-chain passing into the space between the sald sections and aflordmg means for retating said wheel, and means for driving said chain from a point behind said wheel.

2. In an excavator in combination, an excavating-wheel, a conveyor formed in separated sections behind said wheel, and means for drivin said wheel through the space between sai sections and from a point behind said conveyor.

3. In an excavator in combination, an excavating-wheel formed in sections, a conveyer behind said wheel and also formed in ections, a chain assing from a point behind Said conveyer t rou h the spaces between said sections and a ording means for driving said the machine to adwheel, and mechanism behind said conveyor for driving said chain.

4. In an excavator in combination, a

the forward extremity of said frame.

5. In an excavator in combination, a

frame, inclined plow-beams pivotally attached to the under side of said frame and projecting forwardly therefrom, adjustable hangers pivotally connected with the forward extremity of said frame and pivotally attached to the forward extremities of said beams, a plow carried by said'beams, an excavating-wheel before said plow and supported by said frame, and a conveyer supported at said plow and adapted to deliver material received from said wheel.

6. In an excavator in combination, a frame, inclined plow-beams projecting forwardly therefrom and pivotally attached thereto, adjustable hangers attached to the forward extremities of said beams and sup ported from said frame, a plow carried by said beams, arms pivotally mounted on said frame and projectin forwardly therefrom, an excavating-wheel carried between said arms, and a conveyor behind said wheel and adapted to receive material therefrom.

7. In an excavator in combination, a frame, inclined plow-beams projecting forwardly therefrom and pivotally attached thereto, adjustable hangers attached to the forward extremities of said beams and sup ported from said frame, a plow carried by said beams, arms pivotally mounted on said frame and projecting forwardly therefrom, an excavating-wheel carried between said arms, a conveyer behind said wheel and adaptedto receive material therefrom, and means for attaching said plow to said arms.

8. In an excavator in combination, an excavating-wheel, a main conveyer adapted to receivematerial from said wheel, a pair of lateral conveyers disposed behind said first conveyer and adapted to receive material therefrom, bevel gear-wheels at the adjacent extremities of said lateral conveyers, and a wheel therebetween meshing therewith.

9. In an excavator in combination, excavating mechanism, a main conveyor adapted to receive material therefrom, a pair of op-- positely-disposed lateral conveyers to which said main conveyer delivers, hangers adjustably supporting the outer extremities of said lateral conveyers, bevel gear-wheels at the inner extremities of said lateral conveyers and affording means for actuating the same, a double bevel-gear between said first bevelgears and meshing with both, and means for continuously driving said last bevel-gear.

10. An excavatin -wheel having a rotatable circular rim: fixer heads at the extremities r of said rim inclosing the interior teeth mounted in said run.

thereof, and

l I": An excavating-wheel. comprising a sub-' stantially cylindrica. body, removable teeth attached to the periphery of said body, heads at the extremities of said body and having openings therethrough, and covers for said openings.

12. An oxcavating-wheel comprising an outer rim and an innerrim, a plurality of teeth having shanks projecting through open-- ings in said rims, and nuts on the extremities of said shanks securing the same.

13. In. an excavator in combinatioma pair.

of arms, a shaft connecting the'same, a sleeve mounted on said shaft, a wheel having a body ro-tatably mounted on said sleeve, and a pin-- rality of teeth carried by the periphery of said wheel.

i i. In an excavator in combination, a pair of arms, a shaft connecting the same, a sleeve mounted on said shaft, a wheel having a body rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a plurality of teeth carried by the periphery of said wheel, and heads closing the extremities of said body. I

15. In an excavator in combination, a pair of substantially parallel arms, a shaft connecting the Jame, a sleeve fixed on said shaft, a pair of concentric rims carrying teeth and constituting an excavating-wheel, and a plu- 'rality of hubs rotatably mounted on said sleeve and rigid with said rims.

16. In an excavator in combination, a pair .of oppositely-disposed arms, a shaft supporter therebetween, a sleeve about said shaft, a pair of rims carrying teeth and con stituting an excavating-wheel, hubs rigid with said rims and rotatably mounted on said sleeve, said'rims being formed in sec tions, a space therebetween through which a driye-chain may pass, and a chainivhecl sur u h rounding said sleeve in said space and rigidly connecting with said rims.

17. In an excavating-wheel in combination, an outer rim having openings therethrough, an inner rinrhaving openings therethrough, a plurality of teeth having shanks passing through said first openings and having threaded extremities passing through said last openings, said teeth having shoulders abutting the outer of said outer rim, and nuts mounted on said extremities and securing said teeth.

In testimony whereof 1' name to this specification in the two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUST M. ANDERSON.

. have signed my presence of I'Vitnesses: 4

E. S. WALCOTT, TOBY Ejowxnns. 

